NorthEast Cheese

Cheese production has declined as milk supplies are tightening, due to the combination of increased Class I demand and lower seasonal milk production. Demand for cheese is strong with good domestic orders as retailers increase inventories for the college football and NFL seasons. Export demand is good as buyers from around the world are shopping the bountiful supplies in the US at prices below international levels. The active domestic and export markets are working inventories lower. Wholesale prices saw their third consecutive increase as the CME weekly average cheese prices continued to firm. Cheddar 40# blocks and Muenster registered a 4 cent increase with processed cheese gaining 3 cents. According to the National Dairy Retail Report, retail cheese ads for 8 oz. block cheese in the Northeast totaled 2,704, 40% of the total national ad count of 6,805 and was the highest ad count for any region. The weighted average price for 8 oz. cheese blocks in the Northeast was $2.43, 11 cents less than the national weighted average price, but 7 cents higher than the previous reporting period. Retail cheese ads for 8 oz. shredded cheese in the Northeast totaled 1,690, 26% of the total national ad count of 6,492, and was the highest ad count for any region. The weighted average price for 8 oz. shredded cheese in the Northeast was $2.48, 2 cents less than the national weighted average price and 7 cents less than the previous reporting period. CME Group cheese prices moved lower in trading through Tuesday with barrels declining $0.0450 and blocks down $0.0425.WHOLESALE SELLING PRICES: DELIVERED, DOLLARS PER POUND (1000 - 5000 POUNDS MIXED LOTS)